Possession and use of medical cannabis is a violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act, and compliance with Maryland State medical cannabis laws is not a legal defense to a violation of federal law. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has the authority to enforce federal cannabis laws, even in states with authorized medical cannabis programs. However, federal budget legislation passed in 2014, subject to reauthorization each year, prohibits the DOJ from interfering with the implementation of State medical cannabis programs. Courts have consistently interpreted this statutory provision to protect “individuals who engaged in conduct permitted by state medical marijuana laws and who fully complied with such laws.” U.S. v. McIntosh, 833 F.3d 1163 (9th Cir. 2016).​ 

A patient needs an in-person visit with a registered provider with whom the patient has a “bona fide provider-patient relationship”. If the patient meets the provider’s criteria for treatment with medical cannabis, the provider will issue a certification.

A patient can order an ID card by logging into their account through the MMCC website however, a patient may only order an ID card after their patient application has been approved and they have received certification from a registered provider.

https://mmcc.maryland.gov/Pages/process_to_obtain.aspx

​If the patient has a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes:

• cachexia,
  
• anorexia,
  
• wasting syndrome,
  
• severe or chronic pain,
  
• severe nausea,
  
• seizures,
  
• severe or persistent muscle spasms,
  
• glaucoma,
  
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.

A Maryland patient can only obtain legal medical cannabis from a Maryland-licensed dispensary.

A legal patient may travel to any location in the state of Maryland (other than federal government property when in possession of medical cannabis). Possession of cannabis is a violation of federal law and Maryland residents should carefully read the current state statutes regarding the use of medical cannabis and be aware that taking cannabis across State lines is a federal offense. Cannabis is also illegal on federal government property. The State of Maryland laws cannot authorize you to travel to other states, jurisdictions or countries with this medicine in your possession.

Possession and use of medical cannabis is a violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act, and compliance with Maryland State medical cannabis laws is not a legal defense to a violation of federal law. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has the authority to enforce federal cannabis laws, even in states with authorized medical cannabis programs. However, federal budget legislation passed in 2014, subject to reauthorization each year, prohibits the DOJ from interfering with the implementation of State medical cannabis programs. Courts have consistently interpreted this statutory provision to protect “individuals who engaged in conduct permitted by state medical marijuana laws and who fully complied with such laws.” U.S. v. McIntosh, 833 F.3d 1163 (9th Cir. 2016).​